Wire-fence machine



Patented May' 305-1899'.

M. H. STARLING. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

6 Sheets-#Sheet I.

(Application filed Nov. 21, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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.- No. 626,107. Patented -May 30, |899.

M. H. ,STABLINGL WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

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No. 626,|07. Patented MatyV 30., 1899.

. H. STARLING.

WIRE lFENCE MACHINE.

' (Application file d Nov. 21, 1898.) (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W/TNESSES l A /N VENTO/5' mfr-O. E fzze No. 626,|D7. I Patented May 3D, |899. M. H. STAHLING.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 21, 1898.)

4(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Shed 4.

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N0. 626,|07. Patented M'ay 30, |899. M. H. STARLING.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Applicatiun led Nov. 2l, 189B.)

(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 w/TNESSES .1 /N VEA/Tof? j@ az. 797m Jzjlw Jim/ivy: M Z I BY W A TTOHNE YS.

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Patented May 30, |899.

M. H. STARLING.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 21, 189B.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILES H. STARLING, OF LOWELL, OHIO.

WIRE-FENCE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 626,107, dated May 30, 1899.

Application filed November Z1, 1898. Serial No. 697,012. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MILES H. STARLING, residing at Lowell, in the county of IVashington and State of Ohio, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Vire Fence Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in machines for use in erecting wire fences, and has for an object, among others, to provide a machine by which to drive the posts, space same apart, lay the wire, and stretch the wire and which can be used on level ground or on a hillside, as may be required; and the invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, parts being broken away and others shown in section. Fig. 2" is a diagrammatic top plan View illustrating the operation of the machine. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the machine. Fig. l is an elevation of the machine, showing the post-driver, parts being removed and others shown in section. Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the gage for regulating the wire strands alongside the fence. Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section of a part of the post-driver. Fig. 7 is a detail rear elevation of the rear adjustable bolster. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the shifting guide-pulley. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the armed operating-pulley of the wire-stretcher. Fig. l0 is a detail view, partin section, of the wire-tightener. Fig. 11 is a detail view on about line l1 l1 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective', and Fig. 1 3 a detail sectional plan, of a part of the wirestretcher. Fig. 14is a detail section on about line 14; let of Fig. 3, and Fig. 15 isa detail view illustrating the latch devices for detachably connecting the pile-driving weight with the plate for lifting the same.

My improved machine or apparatus embodies a base-frame A, a main frame B, supported thereon, means for adjusting the main frame on the base-frame, the-Wire-supporting devices C, the Wire-stretching devices D, the post-driving frame E, having a guide F for the wires leading from the stretching devices, and means whereby the main frame may be adjusted laterally on the base frame, the whole coperatin g in laying the wires, driving the posts, and securing a proper alinement of the machine with the line'ot' the fence being erected.

In the construction shown the base-frame A comprises the front and rear wheels A A2 and the perch or coupling A3 between the same. I also supplyT a suitable tongue A4, having a guide-pulley A5 at its inner end, and anchor-bars AG are arranged adjacent to the rear axle to prevent any rearward movement of the machine while in use, hangerhooks A7 being provided to support the anchors A6 while the machine is being moved from point to point. On the front axle I mount 'the king-bolt Gr, which fits in a bearing G in the front bolster B of the main frame, such bolster being provided with a laterally-elongated slot or recess B2, in which the king-bolt G plays in the tilting ofthe main frame to level the same when used on a hillside, as Will be presently described. The rear bolster is made in sections H and H', the former being secured on the rear axle and the section H being fitted over the section H, so it canirock thereon in tilting the main frame to different inclinations, as will be understood from Fig. 7. The section H is in the nature of a box or casing and fits loosely over the section H, so it can slide thereon up and down at either end and can rest in its lowermost position upon the rear axle or upon the plate H2, placed thereon and forming one of the supports for the toggle-arms presently described for use in tilting the upper section of the bolster. This upper section H is practically a part Aof the main frame, the latter being secured to a carriage H3, which slides back and forth i ways H4 at the upper end of theseetion H This' carriage H3 is provided with a rack H5, which is meshed by a gear HG, journaled at H7 in the section H' and provided with a crank H8 and ratchet-Wheels H9, having detent-pawls, as Will be understood from Figs. 3 and 7. By the described construction the carriage H3, at ornear the rear end of the main frame B, can be moved back and forth laterally to properly adjust the main frame to the line of the fence, as may be desired. In connecting the carriage H3 with the main frame it is preferred to pro IOO vide said` carriage with a bolt h3,which plays in a slotted way h4 in the main frame B.

To tilt the main frame on the rear axle to properly level such frame, I employ the toggle-arms I and I', jointed together at I2 and jointed at t' and t", respectively, to the axle and to the upper section II, so said togglearms can be operated to tilt the section H and'withit the main frame, as will be understood from Fig. '7. arms it is preferred to connect links I3 with the arms at I2 and to connect said links I3 with screws 14, having handles i4 and threaded in brackets I, so'said screws I4 can be turned to adjust the toggle-arms to raise or lower the rear end of the main frame at either side, th-eforward end of the main frame followingy such adjustment by means of the slotted seat B2 for the king-bolt G before described.

It will be seen that by straightening both sets of toggle-arms the rear end ofthe main frame can be elevated bodily and that by straightening one toggle-arm one side of such frame can be raised, the extent. of such adjustment being increased, when desired or necessary, by lowering the opposite side by proper manipulation of the toggle at such side, as will be understood from Fig. 7. I thus provide for adjusting the main frame' both laterally, vertically, and to an angle to the horizontal and am so able to properly level such main frame and to aline it in the operation of the machine to bring the wirestretching devices and the guides therefor on the fence-post-driver frame in properline with the line of the felice being erected', such result being effected in an easy way without regard tothe ground surface.

When the main frame is mounted on the carriage form of base shown, it is preferredy to supply a brace J, extending diagonallybetweensuch mainframe and the: forward portion of the coupling' and consisting of sections threaded and united by a turnbuckle JY', so the brace can be adjusted as desired.

A suitable brake K is arranged for operation by a lever K', connected by a rod K2 with a hand-lever K3, as will be understood from Fig. l.

At the rear end of the main frame B, I arrange the post-driving frame E, which is pivoted at E at a point a short distance above its lower end to the frame B, so it can be lowered, as shown in Fig. l, or can be raised to the full-line position illustrated in said Fig. l when desired for use. This frame E has upright ways for the Weight E2 and for the cap-plate E3, to which said weight is detachably connected, preferably by means of the latch E4, whichengages ahook-stud ony the weight, is held. in such engagement by the spring E6, and may be released by the cord E7 when the weight has been elevated to the f desired height. As before suggested, the frame E may be raised or lowered on its pivot El', an'd'in` raising the frame it will be found desirableto lower theweight E2 t0 a point In operating the togglebelow the pivot Ef, so it' will aid in raising the frame by overbalancing the longer upper end thereof.

On the frame E, I provide graduations e, (see Fig. 4,) so the depth to which the posts i are driven can be determined or gaged. For raising and lowering the frame E, I provide a drum L, connected by cords L and L2 with the upper and lower ends of said frame, such cords being properly guided so the drum can be turned to draw upon one cord and let out the other to rai-se or lower the frame, as may L be desired. This drum has a handle L2, which is engaged by a perforated plate L4, connected with the framing and operating as la detent to secure the drum in any desired adjustment. When thefframe E is in the-po- 'sitionshown in Fig. 1, the post maybe placed `in line below the weight E2, as shown inFig. 4,' and such weight being properly connected with its carrier-plate may be raised to the desired height and then detached bydrawing zon the cord E7, so the weight will fall. To hoist the carrier plate and the attached `weight, I provide the blocks M and M' and dispose the cable M2 around the same, as will be understood from the drawings. This cable l M2, I use for hoisting the weight in building i wire fences when horse-power is used, as will Abe presently described; but when it is def may be done by means ofi the cord N2, connected with the h-and-operated drum N4. (See lFig. l.)

The cord or rope M2 passes down through -a pulley-block N and is provided in advance of said'- block with a. number of projections ,N', suitably-spaced. apart to engage with the arms of the operating-pulley N2`of the Wire- ;stretcher, so said projections N" as they are d-rawn forward will operate the pulley N2 and iso operate the wire-stretcher as the cable M2 'is drawn forward to. raise the post-driving wveight. Suitableguidesare provided at O N2, and I also provide a shifting guide-pulley O2, which canv be adj ustedl to position to permit the projections Nv to engage the wheel N2 or to a position which willhold the rope M2 so its projections will not engage the arms of the wheell N2. This will be understood on reference to Figs. 2,- 3, and 8'.' If the pulley O2 be arranged as shown inv full lines', Fig. 8, it will permit the projections Nto engage the wheelN2; but if said pulley O2 be shifted l to the dotted-line position shown'. in Fig. 8 it will tend to throw the cable M2laterally clear of the wheel N2, so theprojections N will not operate `the wheel N2. It will thus be seen .the wire-stretcher or not, as desired.

The pulley O2 isearried on a lever O2, which is connected with one arm of a bell-crank lever O4, whose other armi is connected by a rod O5 with a lever O6, convenient to the driver, such lever having a suitable detent and O to direct the rope M2 to cause itspro- Vjections N to engage the arms ofV the wheel sired to raise the lWeight at other times this ICO IIO

that the cable M2 may be caused to operate O7, as Will beunderstood from Figs. 3 and 2. The rod O5 is provided with a projection O2, which releases a detent O2 on the wirestretcher in the operation of shifting the pulley O2 to hold the rope M2 clear of the wheel N2, so the shifting of the weight-lifting rope to prevent it from operating the wire-stretcher will free such wire-stretcher, as will be better understood from what follows, it being desired to free the wife-stretcher when it has been properly operated to tighten the strands and the latter have been secured tothe posts in any desired manner.

I will now pass to a more detailed description of the wire-stretcher. This includes a shaft P, which is journaled at its lower end in the body of the main frame and at its upper end in a subframe P, which is mounted on the body of the main frame, as shown. The armed wheel N2 is clutched to the shaft P by means of the pawl n2 on said wheel engaging the ratchet-wheel P2 on the shaft P, so the movement of the cable M2 in its forward direction will operate the shaft P, but will turn the wheel N2 back without affecting the shaft P on the rearward movement of the said cable M2, as will be understood from Figs. 1 and 9. The wire-stretching spools P3 are secured on and operated by the shaft P and are constructed alike and spaced apart `suitable distances to suit them for use in building fences.

together I prefer to connect the several spools bythe rods P5, as shown in Fig. 10. Each spool is provided with a central hub portion PG and at one side thereof a block P7, spaced apart from the hub-section to form a passage at P8 for the wire, which is disposed to such passage las shown in Fig. 12. If the spool be turned in the direction indicated by arrows in Figs. 12 and 13 from the position shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 18, the wire will be tightened to the extent to which the spool may be turned and may thus be caused to attain the desired tension before nailing to the posts. By operating the wire-stretcher by the power-operated cable M2, I am able to secure a high degree of tension in the wires with but little labor on .the part of the operator. As shown in Fig. 10, it is preferred to support the wire-stretcher on ball-bearings by resting the lower wire-stretching spools on balls P9.

To indicate audibly the position of the posts, I provide on the main frame an alarm Q, preferably a bell, whose hammer Q is arranged in the path of knots or projections R/ on a line R, which is secured at oneend in suitable relation to the fence being built, passes between guides R2 and R2, which direct it in engagement with the hammer Q', and is wound on a suitable reel R4, which is braked by a lever R5 bearing upon the shaft R6 of the reel R4 and having suitable detent mechanism at R7. As the machine moves forward the knots R', engaging the hammer Q' of the 'bell Q, will cause such bell to sound and the knots being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the distance apart of the posts serve to indicate the position of the posts, so the machine can be stopped each time the bell is sounded for the purpose of driving a post.

In the use of the machine I support spools S, carrying the wire, on a shaft S in advance of the wire-stretching spools, and these spools may be spaced apart to correspond with the spacing of the strands in the fence, empty spools and filling-blocks being employed in securing the desired spacing of the wire-carrying spools.

In Fig. 5 I show the tacker-guide,which consists of the threaded shaft T,which is provided at'itslower end with a treadle T to receive the foot of the operator and has a plurality of hooks T2, having shanks TB threaded upon the shaft T, so they can be turned to any desired adjustment to suit as guides for use in building the fence with the strands any desired distance apart. In the use of this tacker-guide its hooks, or so many of same as it may be desired to use, are adjusted to the desired distance apart and engaged over the strands of the fence close to the post to which such strands are to be tacked, when by pressing IOO the treadle T to the ground the strands are adjusted the proper distance apart and may be tacked to the post.

In the operation of my machine the posts may be scattered along the line of the fence 4and three flag-poles set, as shown at U in Fig. 2, after driving one, two, or more posts V, as shown in Fig. 2. The Hag-poles U now form a guide in driving the machine forward in building the fence. The shaft S is now supplied with as many spools of wire as there are to be strands in the fence. The wire-stretcher should now be turned so that the slot or passages P8 will face the pile-driver, and the strands of wire should be passed through such passage, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and carried forward over the arch W and back between the rollers F alongside the driver-frame, and the ends of such strands should be secured to a post the proper distance apart as desired, and the driver-frame be raised from the dotted position shown in Fig. 1 to the -fullline position shown in said figure. A post may now beset in line under the weight, the latter being raised by a horse hitched to the line M2 and driven forward from the machine. When the weight is at the desired height, it may be released by pulling on the cord E?, v(see Fig. 6,) when the Weight will dropupon the post and drive the same into the ground, such operation being repeateduntil the post is driven the desired distance, the gage or IIO 4 cannot graduation .e indicating the depth to which thepost is driven. After several-say threeposts have been driven the hooks on the tacker-guide may be adjusted and the wires tacked to and adjusted to the posts, as before described. As the machine moves forward the indicator. devices Q and R before described will sound the alarmand tell when each succeeding post should be driven..

In building fence on the side of a hill the dag-poles may be properly set and the main frame adjusted to level the same `and be shifted from side to side tothe desired line.

In building fence by steam an eXtra gearing may be applied to the ordinary farm-engine and the machine applied as desired.

Where desired, the invention may be ernployed on ordinary farm-wagons, those with low wheels preferred, by removing the bol-A sters of the wagon and placing those of the improved machine in their place.

of rope having a hook at one end to engage frame supported thereon, the wire supportl ing and stretching devices on the main frame, the post-driving frame on the main frame and having a guide for the wi-res leading from the stretching devices, and means for adjusting the main frame on the base-frame whereby' the wire stretching and guiding devices may be preserved in verticalalinement independent of the ground-surface substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the base-frame, the main frame supported thereon, means for adjusting the main frame on the base-frame .f

whereby to level the main frame, the wirestretcher upon the main frame, the post-drivingframe having upright guide-rolls between which the wire strands-lead from the stretcher and means whereby the weight-hoisting line of the post-driver -may operate the wirestretcher substantially as set forth.

f stretcher substantially as set forth.

comprising the main frame,the wire-stretcher, the post-driver providedl with the weighthoisting line and having its frame mounted on the main frame and provided with rollers form-ing guides for the wire leading froml the stretcher, and means whereby the weight- 4. An apparatus substantially as described hoisting line may operate the wire-stretcher substantially as set forth.

5. The combination substantially as described of the main frame, the base-frame, means for adjusting the main frame wherebjT to level the frame upon thebase-frame, the wire-stretcher and post-driver frames mounted upright upon the main frame, guide-rollers on the post-driver frame for the wires leading from the stretcher, and the weight-hoisting line provided with means whereby it may operate the wire-stretcher substantially as set forth.

6. An apparatus substantially as described Y comprising a main frame, a postdriver frame, means for supporting the spools of Wire in advance of the post-driver frame,and stretching devices between the wire-supporting devices and the post-driver frame substantially as set forth.

i the combinationof the wire-stretcher having -a shaft and means whereby the'wire is stretched as such shaft is turned, an armed.

wheel on said shaft, and a line provided with projections engaging the arms of said wheel l substantially as set forth.

8. In apparatus substantially as described j a wire-stretcher comprisingthe shaft having the spools, the hubs and the wire-passages stretcher may be rotated substantially as set forth. 9. In an apparatus substantially as del scribed a wirestretcher comprising a shaft 1 provided with the stretching devices and with an armed wheel, an operating-line having projections whereby to engage said armed I wheel, a guide by which the said operatingline may be held out of engagement with the armed wheel, means for adjusting this guide,

for operation by the means for adjusting the guide for the 'line-wire substantially as set forth.

l0. In an apparatus substantially'as dei scribed the combination with the main frame, t the post-driver frame having'a weight and a weight-hoisting line provided with projections and a wire-stretcher having an armed `wheel arranged for engagement by the projections on said weight-lifting line substantially as setv forth. l1. In an apparatus substantially as described the combination of the main frame, the post-driver frame, the operating-line hav- .wire as the shaft is turned, and an armed 7.A In apparatus substantially as described alongside the hubs, and means whereby the l ing buttons or projections, the wire-stretcher. g having a shaft, and means for stretching the anda detent for the wire-stretcher arranged u wheel clutched on said shaft and arranged for engagement by the projections on the opv erating-line substantially as set forth.

12. In an apparatus substantially as described thecomloin-ation of the wire-stretcher 'h-avinga shaft and an armed wheel, of the l. operating-line having buttons or projections engaging said armed Wheel, a guide whereby to hold said line clear of the armed wheel, said guide consisting of a pivoted lever having a roller engaging said line, a bell-crank lever having one arm connected with the guide-lever, and operating means connected with the other arm of the bell-crank lever substantially as set forth.

13. In an apparatus substantially as Adescribed the combination of the wire-stretcher having a shaft and an armed wheel, an operating-line having buttons or projections engaging said armed wheel, the guide for said operating-line, the bell-crank lever connected with said guide, the operating-lever and the rod connected with said bell-crank lever, such rod being provided with a projection or shoul-v der, and a detent-pawl for the wire-stretcher arranged to be released by said projection or shoulder on the connecting-rod substantially as set forth.

14. In an apparatus substantially as described the combination of the frame provided with post-driving devices, a reel thereon carrying a line provided with buttons'or projections and an alarm carried by said frame and having guides for saidline and sounding devices arranged tobe operated by the buttons or projections thereon substantially as set forth.

l5. In an apparatus substantially as described, the Wire-stretcher having a shaft and the spools P3 thereon, each spool having a hub P6 and a block P7 forming a wire-passage PS substantially as set forth.

16. The combination of the main frame the post-driver frame thereon and provided with the guides for the wire, such frame and guides being jointed to the main frame and foldable thereon into and out of position for use, the wire-stretching devices on the main frame in advance of the post-driver frame, the base-frame, means for leveling the main frame on the base-frame, and means for ad# j usting the main frame laterally on the baseframe, substantially as set forth.

17. In an apparatus substantially as described the combination of the main frame, toggle-arms below the same at its opposite slides, and means whereby t'o operate the opposite toggle-arms whereby the main frame may be leveled substantially as set forth.

' 18. In an apparatus substantially as described the combination of the main frame, the rear bolster having a lower section, an upper section having a box or casing fitted loosely over the lower section and provided at its upper side with Ways for the carriage, the toggle-arms and operating means connected with said upper section, the carriage sliding in said ways, and the main frame supported by and movable with said carriage substantially as setforth.

19. Theimproved machine consisting of the base-frame, the main frame thereon, the wirestretching and post-driving'devices carried by the main frame, the rear bolster between the base and main frames and provided with upper and lower sections, means for adjusting either side of the upper section vertically, and a carriage movable laterally on said upper section and supporting the main frame substantially as set forth.

MILES H. STARLING.

Witnesses:

H. RIETZ, HARVEY HEWNIGOR. 

